For Edenton-Chowan Schools Superintendent Tammi Ward, an evening devoted to children and screens began with a personal admission: Even a parent who thought she had established firm limits could discover there was more to learn.

Opening the ScreenStrong "Kids' Brains & Screens" workshop Sept. 28 at the John A. Holmes High School auditorium, Ward said two books had prompted her to reconsider the place of technology in children's lives.

School Board Chair George Lewis introduced the board to The Digital Delusion, she said. About the same time, her book club was reading The Anxious Generation.

"I thought I was a good mom with screen time," Ward said, recalling her children's complaints that other parents did not impose the same restrictions. Reading the books left her wondering what more she could have done.

That reflection helped frame an evening focused on strengthening family connections and giving children more opportunities to grow beyond their devices.

The workshop brought together Edenton-Chowan Schools, the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Albemarle, the Edenton Police Department and the Edenton-Chowan Educational Foundation.

Ward emphasized that progress would require families, schools and community organizations working together. Parents, grandparents along with local and county officials were on hand to absorb what kids are absorbing.

"None of us can do it by ourselves," she said.

Leading the presentation was Mandee Hamann, a ScreenStrong speaker and ambassador liaison who traveled from Des Moines, Iowa. A businesswoman and former early childhood and children's pastor, Hamann is the mother of three young adults.

She had spoken with teachers earlier that day and said student presentations were planned for the following day. Reaching educators, parents and students, she explained, helps a community develop a shared understanding of the issue.

Hamann began with her own family's experience, reassuring parents that she had faced many of the same uncertainties.

Before becoming a speaker, she said, "I was a mom with a screen story."

Her two oldest children received their first smartphones at age 14. At the time, Hamann believed waiting until that age, monitoring the phones and setting boundaries would provide adequate protection.

The family had moved from Iowa to San Antonio, Texas, and phones seemed to offer practical benefits: staying in touch and helping the children maintain friendships back home.

But Hamann said she began noticing changes, including greater detachment and conflict over phone use. Her daughter also experienced anxiety.

A friend introduced her to ScreenStrong, leading to a meeting with founder Melanie Hempe. That conversation challenged Hamann to rethink the family's approach.

Rather than continuing to negotiate over the devices, Hamann and her husband decided their children would take a 30-day break from screens.

The decision came about a week before the COVID-19 shutdowns, she said. Suddenly home together, the family had to find other ways to fill its time.

The experience became a turning point and eventually led Hamann to help other families through ScreenStrong.

Her message to parents was encouraging rather than accusatory.

"Once we know better, we do better," she said.

Throughout the presentation, Hamann urged families to consider what screen use may be replacing: sleep, reading, exercise, creativity, conversation and time together.

She described ScreenStrong's work as helping families prevent screen problems and reduce dependence on potentially harmful digital activities. She discussed the organization's concerns about social media, video games and exposure to inappropriate online content.

But changing habits, she said, requires more than putting away a phone.

Parents must help children find something meaningful to do with the time they reclaim. In her own household, that meant preparing activities and participating alongside her children.

Board games, outdoor play, music, hobbies and sports were among the alternatives she encouraged families to consider.

Hamann also emphasized movement, suggesting that parents give children opportunities to play outside or exercise before settling into homework.

Underlying those practical suggestions was a larger concern: preserving the relationships and experiences that shape childhood.

For families already struggling with screen habits, Hamann offered reassurance that change remains possible.

"It's never too late," she said. "If your child's still in your home, it's not too late."

Beyond the screen: A starting point for families: practical tips from the ScreenStrong workshop

Changing a child's screen habits begins with a family plan. During Edenton's ScreenStrong workshop, speaker Mandee Hamann encouraged parents to focus on the activities and relationships children can gain when devices occupy less of their day.

Start with a conversation. Explain why the family is reconsidering screen habits. Keep the discussion centered on sleep, school, friendships and time together.

Look at what screens replace. Consider whether recreational screen use is crowding out reading, outdoor play, hobbies, conversation or rest.

Prepare alternatives. Before reducing screen use, help children choose activities they enjoy. Hamann described creating a list of things her children could do during their family's screen break.

Join in. Children may need help learning how to fill their time. Play a board game, take a walk, cook together or work on a project.

Make movement part of the day. Hamann encouraged outdoor play and exercise, including opportunities to move before sitting down to homework.

Consider a planned reset. Hamann described her family's 30-day screen break and discussed ScreenStrong's challenge. Families considering a break should clearly define which recreational activities they will pause and how necessary schoolwork and communication will continue.

Build community support. Talk with other parents, teachers and youth organizations. Shared expectations can help families sustain changes.

Leave guilt behind. "Once we know better, we do better," Hamann told parents. The goal is to move forward together.

Learn more at ScreenStrong.org.